Certain Improvements in the Mode of Making and Working Bellows
Year: 1815

page_text: WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third did,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-first day of May,
in the fifty-first year of His reign, give and grant unto me, JOHN STREET, of
Clifton, in the County of Gloucester, Esquire, my exors, adñors, and assigns,
His Majesty's special licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I,
the said John Street, my exors, admors, and assigns, during the term of years
therein expressed, should and lawfully make, use, exercise, and vend my
Invention of "Certain Improvements in the Mode of Making and Working
Bellows," within that part of His Majesty's said United Kingdom called
England, His Majesty's Dominion of Wales; and Town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed; and I, the said John Street, did particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, and did
cause the same to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within two calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent, pursuant to a proviso contained in the said Letters Patent for
that purpose. And whereas His said Majesty did, by his other Letter's Patent
under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
bearing date at Westminster, the Eleventh day of August, in the fifty-fifth
year of His reign, and noticing the said Letters Patent herein-before firstly
recited, give and grant unto me, the said John Street, my exors, admors, and
assigns, His Majesty's especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,

page_text: that I, the said John Street, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, during the term of
years therein expressed, should and might make, use, exercise, and vend my
Invention of "CERTAIN FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF MAKING AND
WORKING BELLOWs," within that part of His Majesty's said United Kingdom
called England, His Majesty's Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed, and also in all His Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad;
in which said last-mentioned Letters Letters Patent there is contained a
proviso that if I, the said John Street, should not particularly describe and
'ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, and
cause the same to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within two calendar months next and immediately after the date of the same
Letters Patent, then the same Letters Patent should cease, determine, and
become void, as in and by the said several Letters Patent, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear,
NOW I, the said John Street, in compliance with the said proviso contained
in the said Letters Patent herein-before secondly recited, do particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention therein mentioned,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, by this Instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, as follows, that is to say:→
The said further improvements bear relation to some of the former improve-
ments for which His Majesty's Letters Patent herein-before firstly recited
were granted to me, and consist in the addition of swing valves or paddles
adapted to the interior of the bellows, and in some new arrangements in the mak-
ing and working of the bellows to suit such purposes as require a greater force
or pillar of air or blast than is produced in the same sized bellows by the said
former improvements, and which new arrangements likewise render the bellows
more portable and more generally applicable. And in order to describe the
said further improvements more completely, I do set forth herein a full
description of the whole of the bellows to which such further improvements
relate; and the said further improvements may be ascertained and distinguished
from the said former improvements by the description contained in these
Presents, and by comparing these Presents with the said Instrument or Speci-
fication which I have already caused to be enrolled in His Majesty's High
Court of Chancery pursuant to the said Letters Patent herein-before firstly
recited, and particularly by comparing the description contained in these
Presents with the description of those parts of the said Instrument or Specifi
cation already enrolled which are therein designated or referred to by or
concern the Figures 1, 2, and 3. The letters and figures herein-after used

page_text: denote the same parts of the bellows in all the Drawings or Sketches herein-
after contained or hereunto annexed.
The external parts of the vessels E, E, E, E, with the standards f and pipe
d, e, admittance and discharging valves a, a, and c, c, in each may be considered
as parts corresponding with Fig. 1 in the said former Instrument or Specifica-
tion, as also the vertical partitions 2, 1, in Fig. 6 and 7, herein-after mentioned,
though of different forms and in different positions. But I mean not to
confine myself to any particular forms, but to make use of any convenient form
or shape, as well as of any convenient material or materials for the manufacture
of my said further improvements, which I may be allowed to use.
.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal or side section of one of the bellows as when at work.
Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same bellows, supposing two of them be connected
and worked together, which two or a greater number may be connected and
worked together at pleasure. Fig. 3 is an outside back view of ditto. Fig. 4,
a front view. E, E, E, E, the external part of the bellows or cylindrical vessel,
the ends of which are circular plates of cast iron with flanches or ribs round
them, but may be made of wood or any suitable material, to which is fastened
the outside circular casing, which is also of metal or other suitable material.
When wood is made use of I generally get them put together like a cask, and
when metal by screws and flanches, or any of the known modes, so as to make
them air-tight. In these bellows the external part or casing, when fixed
round the circular ends or plates, forms a horizontal cylinder with two flat
vertical ends, except at the part 2, but may be made of any other
convenient form or shape. At each end of the bellows at A, A, see Fig. 1,
is an axis or hollow bearing, cast with or fixed on the ends, and turned or
made true with the axis of the bellows, by which the bellows are supported
from their centres, axis, or bearings on the brasses in the standards f, f, on
which the bellows are at liberty to move freely. At z, z, in the axis or
hollow bearings, is a stuffing box, which contains packing to prevent leakage
(but which may done by any other known means) at the circular axis or
spindle part of the swing valve or paddle t which passes through the hollow
axis or bearing of the bellows at each end. This axis or spindle of the swing
valve or paddle is turned or made true at the round ends, passing through
the stuffing boxes, and likewise the circular part of it made true the whole
internal length, as also the bottom edge of the partition plate r, which fits
against the circular part of the swing valve or paddle, and moves lightly round
the upper part of it. S is this swing valve or paddle, which I prefer of
metal, but may be made of any other suitable material or materials, and in
any other convenient form or shape. This swing valve or paddle is fitted in

page_text: the internal part or cylindrical case of the bellows, so as to touch lightly, or
nearly to touch the ends, circular case, and partition r, yet so as for the ex-
ternal case or parts of the bellows to move freely when the swing valve or
paddle is kept at rest. At v, v, on, each end of the axis or spindle of the
swing valve or paddle (to connect two of the bellows) a double lever bar of
cast iron or other suitable material is fixed on the axis or spindle by keys cut
partly into the axis or spindles, and partly into the double lever or cross bar,
which prevents the swing valvės or paddles from moving with the, other part of
the bellows when in motion. These double levers may be fixed on the
spindle by any other known means, so as to prevent the moving of the swing
valve or paddle, and in some cases for this purpose I make use of single
levers only, which may be fixed to any part of the standard f, or, by any other
means, and also in some cases have only one end of the swing valve or paddle.
projecting through the end of the bellows, which may be secured in the same
or in any similar way. These levers or cross bars should be kept, a sufficient
distance from. the end of the bellows, so as to allow room for screws to
screw up the packing in the stuffing boxes..
་
"
At Fig. 2, vertical section, is a space formed the whole internal length of
the bellows between the two ends by the angular partition or, valve hole
plates q, q, which plates, when made of metal, as here represented, are fixed to
the vertical circular ends by 'flanches and screws, or in grooves cast for the
purpose, or any well known means, so as to be air-tight at the ends as well as
at the circular casing. With this angular partition are cast or, fitted into it
two air boxes, 'as' seen as seen in Fig. 1, in longitudinal section at 1, 1,
2,2; the part at F between the boxes 1 and 2 is an open space, and not closed
by the outside circular casing through the whole width of the top of the
angular partition and the space between the two air boxes. The air box 1, 1,
I call the admittance box, and that at 2, 2, I call the discharging box. In
the middle of the admittance box 1; 1, is a vertical partition, as seen at y, y,
dotted lines in Fig. 3. This partition separates this box into two equal parts,
on one side of which are hung the two admittance valves (which admit the
air into the bellows) a, a, and immediately on the other side the partition
are two others exactly in the same way. The valves on each side the partition
act alternately, two on one side of the bellows and two on the other. At
b, b, dotted lines, Fig. 1, are two openings in each of the angular partition
plates, which admit the air from the valves to the internal part of the bellows
These I call admittance apertures. In the discharging box 2, 2, in each of
the angular partition plates, are two openings with valves fitted to them, c, c
which admit the air or blast alternately out of the bellows into the discharging

page_text: box 2, 2. From thence it is forced into the pipe d, e, and afterwards as
required. x, x, Fig. 2, are two angular plates, which extend the length of
the bellows, and are fitted to the ends air-tight, and also to the angular partition
plates. These I call dipping plates, which as the bellows work alternately dip
in the water or other fluid made use of, and thereby prevent leakage of air,
should the fluid be below the top of the swing valve or paddle, but I do not
confine myself to this method only. . k, k, Fig. 8, are projecting parts cast
or fixed on the back end of the bellows, in which is fastened the cross piece h,
in which the round pin i is fixed, to which, the rods. g, g, are attached for
working the bellows, the stroke of which may be varied by moving the cross
piece h in the grooves in the projecting parts k, k. The rods g. 9, when two
or more bellows are made use of, may be connected with two or more cranks
standing at right or different angles with each other, and driven by 'an engine,
water wheel, or other known power. The most suitable stroke I have yet
found for these bellows is about one fourth their circumference. Leather
pipes or bags may fixed on the discharge pipes at.e, e, and each connected
with a pipe leading from one to the other, out-of which pipe the air or blast
may be conveyed from any part of, or in any direction from, "two or more
bellows, or the ends of e, e, may be fitted into stuffing boxes of such pipe, or
may go into an air box or water regulator in the same way or by any other
known method or methods; I prefer the pipes e, e, coinciding with the axis or
bearing of the bellows. w, w, Fig. 2, is about the height I find the water or
other fluid made use of to act best in these bellows, but it may be varied at
pleasure. Now supposing the bellows at work, the air contained between one
side of the angular partition and the surface of the water or fluid towards
which the partition is approaching will be compressed to any 'force or pillar
required, and it would also depress that surface of the water to which it is
approaching if it were not prevented by the swing valve or paddle, which is
fitted more or less tight in the bellows as wanted, the air being compressed in
this part to a greater degree of force than that contained in the discharging
pipe, box, regulator, or other vessel or vessels. : Two of the valves c, c, in the
depressed side of the bellows in the angular partition open, and the-air or
blast is discharged into the box 2, 2, see Fig. 1, and is carried off by the
pipe d, e, to the place where it is required. In the course of this operation
two of the admittance valves a, a, in box 1, 1, on the other side the vertical
partition, will have opened and admitted air, which fills the space in the
bellows on that side of the angular partition. The stroke of the bellows is
now returned, and the air pressed out from this side also, and so on alternately.
In some cases I make the swing valve or paddle to move, and the ontside case
of the bellows to remain at rest, or they may be made to move in contrary

page_text: directions, and the swing valve or paddle is made suitable for such purposes,
but in general I prefer the outside case to be in motion.
Fig. 5 is a vertical section of a bellows of a different form or shape, and of
a larger size, with a double swing valve or paddle; this may be fitted in the
same way as mentioned in the foregoing description, only in this the swing
valve or paddle u, u, is intended to lie in a horizontal position, consequently
the action is alternately on the different surfaces of the swing valve or paddle
on each side of the centre. The bottom part of the enternal vessel may be as
it is shewn in this Fig. 5, or circular, as described by dotted lines, or in any
convenient form, at pleasure. The action of this is the same as Fig. 2 & 3,
with the exception of the swing valve or paddle.
Fig. 6 & 7 are two vertical sections of the same bellows as are herein-before
described, but of a smaller size, Fig. 6 showing the admittance valves at a, a,
and Fig. 7 shewing the discharging valves at c, c, which last are inclosed with
a discharge box on the end of the bellows, as seen at 2 in Fig. 9. Both the
admittance and discharging valves in this are on the ends of the bellows, one
on each side the vertical partition 1, 1, and as close to the partition and as near
the top of the bellows. as convenient, the two admittance valves opening
inwards, the two discharging valves opening outwards into a discharging box,
see at 2, Fig. 9, to which the discharging pipe d, is connected, from which the
air or blast may be conveyed, as before mentioned, or by any other known
method or methods. l, l, in Fig. 6 & 7, is the vertical partition fixed in the
bellows, air and water tight, to which may be fitted swing valves or paddles,
as t, o, or as o & v, p, dotted lines, Fig. 6, or as m or n, dotted lines, in Fig. 7;
this last is hung before the centre of the bellows to shew that the height may
be varied at pleasure, but I prefer working them immediately in the centre on
which the bellows work. Dipping. plates, as mentioned and shewn in Fig 2,
or of any convenient form or shape, may be made use of with the swing valves
or paddles. The principle on which these are intended to act is their gravity,
when made in the form t, o, v, p, & t, m, for by their weight they have a
tendency to resist the force of air on each side of the partition, and if well
fitted will prevent the water or other fluid made use of from fluctuating so
much as it is liable to do without the swing valve or paddle. These are only
intended to be used where a moderate force or pillar of air or blast is required,
and they may be hung by hinges, pivots, or any other known means in the
internal parts of the bellows, and. may at any time when required be made to
resist a greater force or pillar of blast by passing a spindle through one end of
the bellows, as before described in the first method, or by any means whereby
these swing valves or paddles may be kept stationary, or made to move in a
contrary direction to that of the bellows.

page_text: Fig. 8 is a portable bellows and regulator, which may be made of any size
or form required. D is the bandle or lever by which this is worked by hand,
similar to a common pair of smith's bellows. C, the steady rod to ditto.
f the standards fixed to the regulator B, which is made of wood or metal, or any
suitable material or materials, and of any size and depth, in proportion to quan-
tity and force or pillar of blast required. 4 is a close box, into which the air or
blast is forced from the bellows by the pipe 5, which connects with the discharging
piped and nose pipe 6. 8 is an open space at top, and at 7 is a vertical
partition which separates the close and open parts, excepting near the bottom
of the regulator, where is an open space of sufficient depth, and of the whole
length of the regulator. Here is a free passage from one compartment of the
regulator to the other, both these compartments being partly filled with water
or any other fluid. The action is as follows:-A stroke being made with the
bellows, a part of the air or blast is driven into the closed part of the
regulator 4, which drives so much water or other fluid under the partition 7,
and raises it in proportion to the open part 3, whereby a column of water or
other fluid is produced, which, at the return of each stroke of the bellows,
prevents any intermission of the air or blast through the pipe 6, it being
supplied from the regulator. A suitable weight, suspended by a chain fixed to
the opposite side of the cask, is sometimes used to assist the back stroke of
Figure 8.
Fig. 9 is a front end view of two of the bellows connected and worked
together, which produces a sufficiently regular blast for most if not all purposes,
without making use of any regulator. On the standards 7 is fixed a double-throw
crank at right angles with each other, to which the rods z, z, are connected.
On this crank is a wheel, which is driven by a pinion on the fly wheel shaft,
on the end of which shaft is applied a common handle, which a man turns to
work the bellows. In some cases two handles are applied, one on each end,
when two or more men are required. These bellows, and the machinery, are
rendered portable by fixing all the standards on a frame of wood or iron, or
the bellows and machinery are rendered portable, distinct from each other, by
fixing them on separate frames. In large single bellows where the full power
of a man or more is required, I work those at Fig. 8 in the same way,
only with a single crank.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Street, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the Twenty-second day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thoneand sight handend and fiftoon
JOHN (L.s.) STREET.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-second day of September,
in the year of our Lord 1815, the aforesaid John Street came before our said
Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid,
and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the
Statutes made for that purpose.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-second day of September,
in the year of our Lord 1815, the aforesaid John Street came before our said
Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid,
and all, and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the
Statutes made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Second day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifteen.