matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENTS IN STEERING SIGNALS FOR STEAMERS AND OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Wilson Davenport at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd October 1878.
WILSON DAVENPORT, at present residing at Rose Villa, Hanger Hill, Ealing, in
the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEERING SIGNALS FOR STEAMERS
AND OTHER VESSELS."
For the purpose of avoiding collisions at night steamers and other vessels carry
lights intended to show by their position the direction in which they are steering.
Owing to the arrangement usually adopted for these lights one or other of them is
frequently concealed, and the signal of direction being thus rendered imperfect
disastrous consequences often ensue. My Invention relates to means of indicating
with certainty the direction in which a vessel is steered by the use of three coloured
lights such as are at present employed, viz., a white, a red, and a green light, which
I arrange and work in the following manner:-I fix the white or central light as
usual on the mast, but I make the two coloured lights capable of being moved
upwards and downwards either by slinging them by ropes passing over pullies, one
où each side of the mast, or by suspending them from yard arms projecting on each
side from the mast. I connect these lights, or the ropes or arms by which they are
suspended, to the tiller chains employed for steering, or to the tiller lever, or to a
barrel on one axis with or geared to the barrel of the steering wheel, so that when-
ever the helm is moved towards the one side or the other the coloured lights are
caused the one to ascend and the other to descend. An observer at a distance
seeing the relative position of the lights is thus at once informed as to the direction
in which the vessel is being steered, and can direct his own vessel accordingly so as
to avoid collision. Also the officer on board a vessel by observing the ascent and
descent of the lights ascertains whether his directions as to steering are obeyed.
The coloured lights, mounted as I have described, may in their mean position (cor-

page_text: responding to helm amidships), be screened so that one or other is not seen unless
it rises above or descends below the screen. During daylight the lanterns with-
out lights, but themselves coloured, may be employed, or coloured balls or other
suitable objects-may-be-put.in.the place of the coloured lights to shew the direction
in which the vessel is steered.
AN IMPROVED CORK SCREW
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Henry Trinder at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd November 1878.
JOHN HENRY TRINDER, of 4, South Street, Finsbury, in the County of Middlesex.
"AN IMPROVED CORK SCREW."
The object of this Invention is the construction of a simple, cheap, and efficient
lever cork screw.
In carrying out my Invention I employ a metal cap for fitting over the mouth
of the bottle, the said cap being provided with a strap carrying a clip at its lower
end for securing a firm hold and bearing on the neck of the bottle; on the upper
part of the said cap is fixed or formed a bracket, in which works on a suitable
pivot or fulcrum a slotted or forked lever, the slot or fork being placed at the inner
end of the shorter arm of the lever. I employ an ordinary cork screw, the spindle
of which is placed in the said slot or fork, or the forked end of the lever may work
in a slot in the said spindle; the object of the fork or slot at the end of the lever
is to allow of the play of the spindle of the cork screw, so that it may keep the
vertical position when it is raised by the curved motion of the lever moving on its
fulcrum.
By this construction of cork screw, the cap being placed on the neck of the
bottle, the worm of the screw is screwed into the cork in the usual manner,
depressing with it the forked end of the lever; then to draw the cork it is merely
necessary to depress the longer arın of the lever (which forms a handle) and the
cork will be drawn.
I sometimes fix a blade serving as a tin and champagne opener on the end of the
lever handle, in which case the said lever is not permanently fixed to the herein-
before described bracket, but the fulcrum or pivot of the lever works in a slot in
the said bracket.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF ORIGINATING AND DEVELOPING ELECTRIC CURRENTS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Curtis Spalding at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th April 1878.
HENRY CURTIS SPALDING, of the Township of Bloomfield, in the County of
Essex, and State of New Jersey, one of the United States of America, but tempo-
rarily residing in London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF ORIGINATING AND
DEVELOPING ELECTRIC CURRENTS."
These improvements consist in bringing into concerted or simultaneous action a
series of dynamo-electric machines or engines for the production of electrical cur-
rents, so arranged and connected that a current of electricity produced in one of
the series shall be conducted in turn to the machine or engine next in order of
succession, whereby a feeble current produced in the first may be increased or
intensified by successively passing through the remaining machines or engines of
the series.
IMPROVEMENTS IN UNIONS OR COUPLINGS FOR CONNECTING PIPES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Henry Wilkinson at the
Offico of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd August 1878.
CHARLES HENRY WILKINSON, of Slaithwaite, near Huddersfield, in the County
of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN UNIONS OR COUPLINGS FOR CONNECTING PIPES."
The object of this Invention is to connect pipes together, whether employed for
steam, water, gas, or other fluid; and the improvements consist in the use and
employment of two flanges, having a nut on the back of each flange for the purpose
of being screwed on to a pipe. On the face of one of these flanges a projection or
ring is formed, on which is placed a washer of india-rubber or other elastic material.
This projection or ring enters a corresponding recess formed in the other flange, so
that when the two flanges are drawn together by bolts or other means a perfectly
tight joint is made.
By means of the projection on the face of the flange the india-rubber washer
cannot possibly get across the opening or passage of the pipes where the flanges
meet, as is the case with the present construction of couplings.
Instead of the india-rubber washer any ordinary packing may be employed.
PROVEMENTS IN SHAKER BRACKETS APPLICABLE TO STEAM THRASHING MACHINES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Odling at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 21st September 1878. A communication
from abroad by Messieurs, Samuel Runnicles and Constantine Nicolopulo, of
Ibraila, Roumania, Engineers.
"IM-
CHARLES ODLING, of the Town and County of the Town of Nottingham.
PROVEMENTS IN SHAKER BRACKETS APPLICABLE TO STEAM THRASHING MACHINES."
[A communication from abroad by Messieurs Samuel Runnicles and Constantine
Nicolopulo, of Ibraila, Roumania, Engineers.]
Heretofore shaker brackets have been constructed of cast iron, which is heavy,
and breaks upon slight concussion, and as at present constructed it is necessary
to displace a number of nuts, lock nuts, and screw bolts before the bottom wood
block bearings can be removed for filing, so as to fit them together, and when fitted
the nuts, lock nuts, and screw bolts have to be replaced. My improvements consist in
substituting shaker brackets constructed of malleable cast iron; each bracket has a
hollow box on its lower side to receive the two halves of the wood block bearings;
the box is slotted in two of its sides to allow of the adjustment of a light hollow
wedge-shaped cotter of malleable cast iron, each held in place by means of one screw
bolt provided with a moveable cotter and collar. The hollow box projects below the
bottom of the bracket sufficient to allow of the free passage of the cranked axle. By
such means I obtain lightness, strength, ready and perfect adjustment of the
bearing blocks in considerable less time than heretofore."
IMPROVEMENTS IN BANKERS' CHEQUES, DRAFTS, BILLS, DOCK WARRANTS, AND OTHER NEGOTIABLE SECURITIES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Thomas Bailey at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st April 1878.
HENRY THOMAS BAILEY, of 8, St. Germans Place, Blackheath, in the County of
Kent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BANKERS' CHEQUES, DRAFTS, BILLS, DOCK WARRANTS,
AND OTHER NEGOTIABLE SECURITIES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in bankers' cheques, drafts, bills,
dock warrants, and other negotiable securities involving weight, measure, quantity,
or amount.
At the present time frauds by altering cheques and other securities are not
uncominon, and to prevent such frauds the documents are sometimes perforated
with such words as " under one hundred pounds," and so forth. Words to a like
purport are sometimes written across the instrument, but this affords no real security.
The method of protection by perforation is available only to those possessed of the
expensive and cumbersome apparatus by which the perforation is effected. I obtain
a similar protection by a preparatory perforation of the document in such manner
that parts may be readily torn from it, and the removal by the drawer of some of
these parts, whilst others are left, will indicate approximately and in a way which
it is impossible afterwards to alter, the value, weight, or measure to which the
document was drawn.
The Invention is illustrated by the Drawing annexed, which represents a blank
cheque having parts perforated at the top and on the right-hand side. If the
cheque be drawn under ten pounds the whole of these parts would be torn off, but
for larger amounts up to that for which the cheque is available, some portions would
be removed, and others left.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Curtis Spalding at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th March 1878.
HENRY CURTIS SPALDING, of the Township of Bloomfield, in the County of Essex,
and State of New Jersey, but temporarily residing in London. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS."
This Invention consists in employing properly insulated fluids or liquids as con-
ductors of electrical currents.
It is a well-established fact that many liquids and fluids, air and water for
example, are capable of receiving electrical currents; this fact I propose to reduce
to practical utility for the berein-before mentioned purpose, namely, for conducting
electrical currents by confining any electrical conducting liquid or fluid in non-
conducting tubes connected by suitable joints, and formed wholly or in part of
vitrified or baked earthen material, or of vegetable substances, such as guita percha,
or the non-conducting gums or resins.
For the purpose of introducing the currents of electricity to be carried by this
novel conductor I introduce into the tube at or near one end of it a suitable metallic
plug or other conductor, and at or near the other end of the tube a similar conducting
plug or other conductor, which conductors are to be used for sending and receiving
the currents.
MENTS IN VELOCIPEDES.
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert James Rae at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd November 1878.
"
ROBERT JAMES RAE, of Hampstead, in the County of Middlesex. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN VELOCIPEDES.'
"
This Invention relates firstly to an improved method of attaching the fork ends
of velocipedes to the axle bearings. Upon the top of the periphery of the bearing
flanges are formed, the outer edges inclining towards each other, so as to form
dovetail shaped grooves.
The ends of the forks are made to fit into these grooves,
and metal caps serve to hold the whole together; or screws or bolts may be used
for this purpose.
Another improvement consists in constructing the spokes, rims, cranks, or other
parts of velocipedes of manganese bronze alloy of suitable quality. Sometimes the
spokes may be made of phosphor bronze alloy.
IMPROVED MEANS FOR MAINTAINING THE CORDS OF ROLLER BLINDS IN TENSION
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederic William Stilwell at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th October 1878.
FREDERIC WILLIAM STILWELL, of Surbiton, in the County of Surrey, Engineer.
"IMPROVED MEANS FOR MAINTAINING THE CORDS OF ROLLER BLINDS IN TENSION."
My Invention relates to an improved means of maintaining the proper tension
upon the endless cord of a roller blind to retain the blind at any height at which
it may be placed. A pulley mounted adjustably in a rack fixed to the window
frame is commonly employed for this purpose, the cord being drawn tight by
adjusting the pulley along the rack, but this contrivance is very liable to get out
of order and requires to be re-adjusted whenever the cord becomes slack.
My Invention consists in suspending a weight from the axis of a pulley, which
is placed within the loop of the cord, the weight hanging beneath and by its
gravity constantly keeping the cord sufficiently in tension to produce the friction
of the cord on the pulley and blind roller necessary to prevent the blind unrolling
or running down by its own weight.
The advantages of this Invention are that the cord is always kept tight without
nny catch or fastening; the wear of the cord is greatly diminished; the weight is
easily fixed and can be applied to any ordinary existing roller blind.
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS, TILES, OR OTHER FORMS FROM CLAY OR OTHER PLASTIC OR SEMI-PLASTIC MATERIALS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Francis Henry Stubbs at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th June 1878.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
FRANCIS HENRY STUBBS, of Leeds, in the County of York.
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS, TILES,
OR OTHER FORMS FROM CLAY OR OTHER PLASTIC OR SEMI-PLASTIC MATERIALS."
My Invention relates to machinery or apparatus for moulding and pressing
bricks, tiles, or other forms from clay or other plastic or semi-plastic materials, and
the improvements are as hereafter described.
On suitable framework I provide a mould formed to suit the shape or configura-
tion of the article to be manufactured. This mould is fitted, by preference, in a
horizontal direction so as to slide freely, and a reciprocating motion, when required,
is imparted thereto by a crank, eccentric, or their equivalents. On the same frame-
work is also mounted a rammer or presser; this also is fitted on a slide rod, and is
capable of adjustment. The clay or other plastic or semi-plastic material is fed on
to a table in bar form, and directly in front of the presser or rammer. To the
mould is attached a cutter for cutting the bar to length.
When in operation the mould is caused to advance to receive the clay, and in
advancing cuts off by means of the herein-before mentioned cutter the proper
quantity, and by the forward motion being continued the material is forced into tho
interior thereof, and the required pressure derived from the rammer or presser in
conjunction with the mould produces the required form, after which the mould
recedes and the pressed form is forced therefrom at the same time by means of a
plunger in the interior thereof, and deposited on a travelling sheet or other table.
The pressure required by the presser or rammer is transmitted thereto by means of
levers and weights, or their equivalents.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN FIXING DESIGNS OR PICTURES ON SURFACES OF GLASS WHEREBY THE SAME ARE MADE TO IMITATE STAINED GLASS.
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Morrison at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 10th December 1878.
JAMES MORRISON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN FIXING DESIGNS OR PICTURES ON SURFACES OF GLASS WHEREBY
THE SAME ARE MADE TO IMITATE STAINED GLASS.".
This Invention which relates to the fixing of designs or pictures upon glass has
for its object to imitate stained glass by an easy and inexpensive process. The
process consists in coating the surface on which the design or picture is to be
reproduced with copal or an equivalent varnish, which is capable of enduring heat
and of a sufficiently transparent quality. The coating of varnish is reduced to a
sticky condition by the glass coated therewith being placed in a stove. When
brought to this sticky condition the design or picture in one or more colours is
transferred thereto from one or more paper impressions taken off a lithographic
stone, an engraved plate, or the equivalents of these, which are used for transferring
an impression. The glass with the design or picture so transferred is again stoved
until dry, after which it is coated again with copal or an equivalent varnish, which
in turn is also stoved until dry. After this the varnish surface is rubbed down
with pumice stone and the surface is again coated with varnish, which is also
stoved until dry. This coating is also rubbed down, smoothed with rotten stone,
and polished.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAMWAY RAILS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Isidore Spielmann at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd October 1878.
ISIDORE SPIELMANN, of 16, Linden Gardens, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAMWAY RAILS."
My Invention has for its object an improved form of grooved tramway rail,
whereby the rail may be used optionally on any one of four faces.
My improved rail is formed of two similar sections, with a broad bead at one
edge and a narrow head at the other. The broad head of the one half rail is used
for the tread and one side and bottom of groove, while the other half is reversed
with the narrow head uppermost, which thus acts as a guard and third side of
groove. The half rails are so rolled that when in this position their outer sides
shall present the same form of a grooved rail, which can if needful be placed upwards
and form the tread, and the groove on the side of the half with the broad head
uppermost corresponds with a hollow in the chair, which serves to receive a key,
and this key made of any suitable form fixes the rail in the chair.
The contact between the two halves may be made of any form, but preferably I
should roll them in one of three forms, viz., 1st, as a step with a projecting piece
forming a second step; 2nd, interlocking; or, 3rd, with a hollow in the middle to
lessen the weight, with a straight face (perpendicular), and in this form I make on
the chair a lug, which projects from one side of the chair into the groove which lies
lower, and in this case I curve the under surface of the said lug and the side of the
projection at bottom of chair, so that the half may drop into its place.
The rail rests firmly on the bottom of the chair, which has a projecting piece
fitting into the groove of the rail, and is secured therein by a key as before
explained.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WASHERS AND SCRUBBERS FOR PURIFYING GASES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Lyon at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 15th February 1878.
HENRY LYON, of the City of Manchester. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF WASHERS AND SCRUBBERS FOR PURIFYING GASES."
I construct a combined washer and scrubber for purifying gases, by preference,
of cast iron, and of an oblong rectangular form, bolted together in layers one above
another.
The lower portion of the apparatus receives the gas through one or more inlet
pipes or branches, and the interior of the entire upper portion of the apparatus is
divided by suitably formed plates of metal, earthenware, glass, wood, or any other
suitable material into a series of parallel horizontal cells extending from side to
side of the external casing, which cells communicate with each other alternately at
each end so as to compel the gas passing through such cells to pursue a tortuous or
zig-zag course, and thus bring such gas first into contact with the ammoniacal
liquor or other purifying agent, which is permitted to flow freely through the
lower cells, and then as the gas rises higher in the apparatus it comes into contact
with clean water which is allowed to enter the apparatus at the top and to trickle
down through the cells, and after passing which the gas finally escapes in a
purified state through an outlet pipe at the top.
The plates which form the cells, and which constitute the essential feature of this
Invention, when made of metal, glass, or earthenware are so moulded, cast, or
formed with projections and open grooves at one side, and perfectly plain at the
other side, that when two of such plates are placed together they constitute a
cellular structure, which may be extended to any desired extent.
AN IMPROVED PROCESS OF TREATING WOOLLEN RAGS FOR SEPARATING WOOL VEGETABLE MATTERS WHICH ARE CONTAINED THEREIN."ROM
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Daniel and Alfred Lessieux, of Boulevard Saint
Denis, No. 1, at Paris, Manufacturers, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
PROCESS OF TREATING WOOLLEN RAGS FOR SEPARATING WOOL
VEGETABLE MATTERS WHICH ARE CONTAINED THEREIN."
FROM
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Daniel and Alfred
Lessieux at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd August
1878.
ALFRED DANIEL and ALFRED LESSIEUX, of Boulevard Saint Denis, No. 1, at
Paris, Manufacturers. "AN IMPROVED PROCESS OF TREATING WOOLLEN RAGS
FOR SEPARATING WOOL FROM VEGETABLE MATTERS WHICH ARE CONTAINED
THEREIN."
Hitherto the rags containing at the same time animal and vegetable matters are
not able to be utilized except in a very imperfect manner owing to the difficulties
experienced in effecting the separation of the said matters.
Our process effects in a complete manner the separating from the animal matters
in the rags the vegetable matters which depreciate and hinder the utilisation of the
said animal matters.
Our process is particularly based upon the employment of dry and pure gaseous
chlorine, according to the following conditions:-
The rags to be treated are first freed as much as possible from foreign bodies, such
as particles of wood, metal, earth, dust, which would injuriously affect the efficacy of
the ultimate treatment and the quality of the product obtained. We then subinit the
rags to the action of a moderate current of gaseous chlorine, dry and pure, for some
minutes, and without any pressure. The duration of exposure of the rags to the

page_text: action of the chlorine is varied according to the proportion of vegetable matters to
be eliminated.
After the treatment of the chlorine the rags are submitted to a temperature
varying from 70 to 100 degrees centigrade, according to the length of the time
they have been exposed to the action of the chlorine.
When the examination of small samples of the rag indicates the finish of the
operation, or in other words a sufficient destruction of the vegetable matters, it
sufficies to submit the rags to a threshing by means of any suitable apparatus
ordinarily used for that purpose.
The vegetable matter disappears in the form of a dust, whilst the animal matter
is perfectly preserved and fit to be utilized again.
This process can be applied indifferently to all kinds of animal matters, wools,
hairs, silks, feathers, and others, whether in the rough or manufactured state,
for the separating of all vegetable matters, such as cotton, flax, hemp, tow, jute;
also to the treatment of filaceous matters under all their rough forms, threads, tissues,
hanks, and others.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN AND RELATING TO STEAM BOILERS OR GENERATORS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Phillips Thompson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st May 1878. À communi-
cation from abroad by Monsieur Joseph Barbe, of Bruxelles, in the Kingdom
of Belgium.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, British and International Patent and Trade Mark Agent. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND RELATING TO STEAM BOILERS OR GENERATORS." (A communica-
tion from abroad from Monsieur Joseph Barbe, of Bruxelles, in the Kingdom of
Belgium.)
It consists,―
First. In a boiler composed of a large number of water tubes in or immediately
over the furnace, opening at each end into a tube plate and chamber. The flames
rises through the tubes, and if there be no water space above the hot gases descend
down a side Blue.
2nd. Where a larger quantity of steam is required I make three chambers
instead of two, the central one being joined by tubes with the other two, and
over the three place or or more egg-ended or flat steam and water cylindrical
boilers, communicating with all three chambers by necks. The furnace is under
one set of tubes; the gases rise through these into longitudinal flues in the brick-
work at the sides of or among the longitudinal boilers, and descend through the
second set of tubes to the exit fluc.
Applied to a locomotive the fire is placed in the bottom of the fire-box in the
usual way, and the numerous small tubes are placed transversely across it, immedi-

page_text: ately above and exposed to the fire, the gases of which pass among the tubes and
out through a single longitudinal flue through the barrel to the smoke box.
Applied to marine boilers it consists of a series of small tubes placed immediately
across the fire from end to end of a chamber formed of four water walls like the
fire-box of a locomotive. It has also a water and steam space above, and from the
centre of the fire-box crown a chimney flue rises up through the steam and water
Брасе.
To enable one to get at the tubes easily for cleaning or repair the outer plates of
the water spaces opposite the tube plate are composed of dished, or curved, or
otherwise strengthened iron or steel plates, bolted and stayed so that they can be
removed like a man-hole and the tubes got at.
One of the most peculiar features in my species of boiler is the series of small
water tubes immediately over the fire joined to tube plates at each end without
elbows or turns of any kind. These tubes receive the greatest heat, and should they
burst they simply put out the fire without any explosive effects.
IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDOW FRAMES FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES, TRAM CARS, CARRIAGES, CABS, SHIPS' CABINS, AND SUCH LIKE PURPOSES; ALSO APPLICABLE TO PICTURE AND ADVERTISING FRAMES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Andrews at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd July 1878.
GEORGE ANDREWS, of 156a, High Street, in the Borough of Southwark, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDOW FRAMES FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES, TRAM CARS,
CARRIAGES, CABS, SHIPS' CABINS, AND SUCH LIKE PURPOSES; ALSO APPLICABLE
TO PICTURE AND ADVERTISING FRAMES."
This Invention consists of improvements in window frames for railway carriages,
tram cars, carriages, cabs, ships' cabins, and such like purposes; and which said
improvements can be made also applicable to picture and advertising frames; and
my Invention has for its object the production of a clean, light, and durable frame
for the above-mentioned purposes.
I manufacture my said frames for private and tramway carriages, omnibuses,
cabs, and ships' saloons of metallic plates, rollod down or pressed into any shape,
design, or size required. I may in some cases put wood inside of the frame to give
additional strength thereto. The corners of the frames are secured by angle or
gusset blocks, or by any other suitable method for strength.
It is obvious that the said frames can easily be made applicable for pictures and
advertising frames.
I also make the said window frames with one, two, or more grooves or channels
on the edge, one for the glass and one for the blind, as may be required, worked by
a spring roller fixed inside of the frame, so that the blind when not wanted down
will be rolled up inside the top rail and out of sight, and protected from dirt, dust,
or grit, and out of the way of the passengers.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ANNEALING IRON AND STEEL
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by David Bevan and Charles Maliphant
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th June 1878.
DAVID BEVAN and CHARLES MALIPHANT, of Loughoe, in the County of
Glamorganshire. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ANNEALING IRON AND STEEL."
The object of this Invention is to afford increased facilities for annealing iron,
steel, &c., and to produce a better effect, together with a reduced cost. For this
purpose we place two or more furnaces at the sides of the heating chamber (thus
heating both sides equally) instead of one at the end, the present custom, thus
securing room for more pots than under the old arrangement.
We also use a separate vault or chamber to heat the pots containing the iron
(gradually up to a certain degree) before removing them to the principal chamber,
in which it is subject to the greater heat required to complete the process.
We also in some cases use an outer chamber for gradually cooling the pots of
iron in.
We also use trains slightly inclined to carry the pots on cars or rollers into the
annealing chambers, as this affords great facility for placing them in and for letting
them out at the other end when the operation is complete; cach pot thus becomes
in turn gradually subject to the highest required heat; each additional pot thus
pushes the preceding one forward.
We regulate the temperature by using dampers, &c., and cause the heat to circu-
late round all parts of the heating chamber, and by gradually heating the pots we
are enabled to use cast iron (which is much cheaper) instead of wrought iron for
the pots, and they are not subject to so much wear and tear as when suddenly
heated.
Doors to chambers are fitted in frames, are made air-tight, and are to be lifted
up by pulleys or otherwise.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR OPERATING THE BRAKES OF TRAINS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Attwood Brockelbank
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th February
1878.
THOMAS ATTWOOD BROCKELBANK, of No. 2, Cowper's Court, Cornhill, in the City
of London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR OPERATING THE BRAKES OF
TRAINS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES."
According to my Invention in the event of the speed of a train of railway
carriages being arrested by an attendant operating the brakes of a leading carriage
of a train of carriages so as to arrest the notion of the respective carriages, and
thereby cause a compression of the buffers of such carriages, all the brakes of
the train of carriages will be brought into action to facilitate the stopping of the
train; or the brake power according to my Invention may be brought into operation
on the buffer arrangements being otherwise compressed. For this purpose the
buffer rods at each end of each carriage are connected to wedge pieces which are
applied to act on each other, and on the sliding of the pair or pairs of buffer
rods by the compression of the buffers, also on pieces to move them, so that
they may by connecting rods operate the brakes to cause them to bear on the
bearing wheels.
On the removal of pressure from the buffers and the withdrawal of the wedges,
the weight of the parts or springs acting with them will cause the release of the
brakes from their action on the bearing wheels.
A side lever is applied when required to enable an attendant to bring each set of
brakes into operation separately when required.
AN IMPROVED FURNACE FOR HEATING AIR SUITABLE FOR DRYING PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Frederick Nast at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th June 1878.
WILLIAM FREDERICK NAST, of St. Louis (Missouri), United States of America.
"AN IMPROVED FURNACE FOR HEATING AIR SUITABLE FOR DRYING PURPOSES."
My Invention relates to a construction and arrangement of furnace for heating a
considerable quantity of air to a high temperature with a moderate expenditure of
fuel, the air so heated being applicable for drying purposes, and particularly for
drying straw separated from stable manure, as described in the Specification to
Letters Patent granted to me on the 6th July 1876, No. 2764.
In constructing a furnace for this purpose I arrange four fire-grates in the lower
part of a brick structure, and above these I provide a space within the walls, which
space I divide by vertical partitions into four compartments. A flue from each of
the fire-placss opens into one of the compartments. By a series of floors I divide
the said compartments into successive storeys, one above the other, and I stop each
of these floors short at some distance from each end of the chamber alternately, so
as to give a passage upwards for the products of combustion, which thus are made
to flow from the fires in a zig-zag direction along the successive storeys of flues to
a chimney at the top. In each of the flues thus formed I lay a refractory pipe, and
I connect the pipe lying in the one storey of flues with that in the next below by a
bend which passes through the opening above mentioned from flue to flue. By
means of a fan or other suitable instrument I force into the uppermost series of
pipes air, which flows along the successive storeys of pipes in a direction opposite to
that of the products of combustion along the exterior surface of the pipes, and thus
becoming more and more heated in its course, finally issues by a pipe or channel
from the lowest of the flue pipes.
By this arrangement the products of combustion in their course through the
flues come in contact with colder and colder portions of the pipes, and before they

page_text: issue by the chimney have the greater portion of their heat thereby abstracted
from them;
Although I have above described a construction suitable for four fires as a
convenient arrangement for structural purposes it is obvious that a similar arrange-
ment is applicable with another number of fires, and a corresponding number of
flue compartments.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TUBE TONGS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Friedrich Hermann Felix Engel at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th December 1878. A
communication from Christoph Tost and Gerhard von Almelo, trading under
the Firm of "Tost & von Almelo," at Hamburg, Germany.
FRIEDRICH HERMANN FELIX ENGEL, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, in the
City of Hamburg, Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TUBE TONGS." A communica-
tion from Christoph Tost and Gerhard von Almelo, trading under the Firm of
"Tost & von Almelo," at Hamburg, Germany.
This Invention relates to certain improvements in tube-tongs, the object being
to adjust the capacity of the jaws and render the tong applicable for use in manipu-
lating different sizes of tubes, and consists in connecting the two parts of a tong by
means of an eccentric hinge-bolt or pin which can be turned by hand in the corre-
sponding borings of the tong. By such turning of the said bolt the fulcrums of the
two parts of the tong are shifted against each other, in consequence of which the
jaw of the tong respectively expands or diminishes in size. This construction
allows of adjusting the same tong to different sizes of tubes.
AN IMPROVED MECHANICAL MOTION APPLICABLE FOR SEWING MACHINE TREADLES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Little at the Office of the Com-
missioners of Patents on the 22nd October 1878.
JOSEPH LITTLE, of 5, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the County of Mid-
dlesex. "AN IMPROVED MECHANICAL MOTION APPLICABLE FOR SEWING MACHINE
TREADLES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
By this improved combination or arrangement an even treadle motion is obtained
with less fatigue to the operator than in ordinary treadle motion.
The foot is in this arrangement applied to the treadle in such a manner that it
swings backwards and forwards, while a slight pressure is alternately applied by the
toe or front part of the foot and the heel, the foot having only a slight motion
vertically. I carry a rod jointed to the crank pin, or a pin similarly situated, and
I joint to its further end a lever, the lower end of which is jointed to the treadle
and which turns on an intermediate fulcrum; to the crank pin I also joint a pen-
dant rod, the lower end of which I connect to the treadle rod. The heel is applied
to the latter beyond the joint connecting with the lever and the front part of the
foot on the other side of said joint. My improved mechanical arrangement may be
applied to cranks or eccentrics generally, whether worked by treadle or otherwise.
PROVED MEANS OF CLOSING BOTTLES, JARS, OR OTHER LIKE RECEPTACLES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Sidney Waters at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd December 1878.
SIDNEY WATERS, of 34, Eastcheap, in the City of London, Merchant."
PROVED MEANS OF CLOSING BOTTLES, JARS, OR OTHER LIKE RECEPTACLES."
"
IM-
The object of my Invention is to effect the hermetic closing of bottles, jars, or
other like receptacles in a simple and economical manner, and so that the said
bottles or receptacles can be readily opened when required.
For this purpose I employ a cap of glass or other suitable material with a flange
to fit over the neck of the bottle or other receptacle, and within this flange I
secure a ring of cork or other suitable material, the internal diameter of which
corresponds with the external diameter of the bottle neck. In the top and flange
of the cap I form grooves to receive a string or wire, which after the cap has been
placed on the bottle neck is drawn tight, and tied under a rib or circular projection
on the neck. The whole is then covered with a suitable capsule, which will lie
close upon the cap, because the string or wire being in the grooves will not
project.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES FOR RIFLED ORDNANCE
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Max Sombart at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, on the 18th July 1878. A communication
from William Siedersleben, of Bernburg, in the Empire of Germany.
CHARLES MAX SOMBART, of the Firm of Buss, Sombart, and Company, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of Magdeburg, in the Empire of Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PROJECTILES FOR RIFLED ORDNANCE." A communication from William
Siedersleben, of Bernburg, in the Empire of Germany.
The Invention more particularly applies to that class of projectiles known as
grape or canister shot, and the improvements are intended to remedy their well-
known defects of breaking up in the gun or squeezing into the grooves and taking
the rifling, which the improvements will prevent.
The improvements are to be performed by making the cases telescopic, the inner
tube being made of longitudinal strips of deep section, so as not to buckle, and
held together by the outer tube, which is very thin, and forms a friction skin.
The bullets may be arranged within the walls, as desired.
A MACHINE FOR COMPOUNDING GELATINOUS AND SACHARINE SUBSTANCES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Baylis Child and Ebenezer
Giles at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th June
1878.
CHARLES BAYLIS CHILD and EBENEZER GILES, of 22, Beer Lane, in the City of
London, Merchants. "A MACHINE FOR COMPOUNDING GELATINOUS AND SACHARINE
SUBSTANCES."
The object of our Invention is to compound gelatinous and saccharine substances,
either one with another or with substances of a like nature, or with liquids, so that
a more or less amount may, if required, be incorporated into the ingredients
treated.
The machine consists of one or more sieves of perforated metal of a semi-
cylindrical shape with solid ends, in which are bearings to take a revolving shaft or
spindle.
A series of brushes are fastened by means of bolts sliding in slots to arms fixed to
the revolving shaft, which press the substance to be treated through the perforations
of the sieve.
The pressure of the brushes on the perforated surface can be regulated at will by
means of the slots in the arms above mentioned.
The shaft which carries the brushes may be actuated either by hand or other
power.
The materials to be compounded are fed by means of a graduated hopper into
the vessel above described, and beneath is a trough to carry away the resulting
compound.
A NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF SURGICAL BANDAGES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Connell Berthon Loughnan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th May 1878.
CONNELL BERTHON LOUGHNAN, Gentleman, of the Elms, Wakefield, Yorkshire.
"A NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF
SURGICAL BANDAGES."
Much time has heretofore been required in impregnating certain surgical bandages
with plaister of Paris, said bandages being known as Sayre's bandage. To facilitate
the preparation of this bandage I make use of the apparatus which is the subject
matter of my Invention.
The apparatus consists of a rectangular box or trough closed at both ends and
open at the top; at one end is placed a roller fitted with a winch handle, by which
it may be rotated, and which handle is removable. Close to this roller, which I
call the winding roller, are two other rollers placed the one over the other, and
turning on axes suitably arranged. These rollers and the winding roller have
their axes supported in the sides of the before-mentioned trough. The said trough
is also fitted with two transverse partitions fitted with grooves cut in the sides of
the trough. At the bottom of each partition is placed a slip of india-rubber.
The manner of using this apparatus is as follows:-Powdered plaister of Paris is
placed in the compartment between the end of trough and partition furthest
removed from the winding-on roller; the bandage to be impregnated is then passed
through the plaister of Paris and under both the partitions herein-before mentioned,
so that the india-rubber on the partitions rests on the bandage; one end of the
bandage is then brought to the winding-on roller, previously passing between the two
horizontal rollers, and made fast thereto. By turning this roller the whole bandage
will be wound on, it being drawn gradually through the powdered plaister of Paris
in the first compartment, and thereby becoming impregnated with the powdered
plaister of Paris.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEWERS OR CONDUITS FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF THE SEWAGE AND STORM AND SUBSOIL WATERS OF Towns AND DISTRICTS OF LAND
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Isaac Shone at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 16th July 1878.
ISAAC SHONE, of Wrexham, in the County of Denbigh, Civil and Mining
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEWERS OR CONDUITS FOR
THE CONVEYANCE OF THE SEWAGE AND STORM AND SUBSOIL WATERS OF Towns
AND DISTRICTS OF LAND."
The object of my Invention is to construct sewers or drains in such a manner
that the foul sewage from houses or buildings may be kept separate from the com-
paratively innocuous water obtained from surface drainage or from the subsoil of
land, cr from what are called storm waters. By thus keeping the foul sewage
separate from the storm waters it may be conducted to any suitable locality for
subsequent treatment by disinfectants or chemical agents, or for subsoil or surface.
irrigation, while the storm or drainage waters may without any inconvenience be
allowed to run direct into any convenient watercourse.
In carrying out my Invention I construct what may be called a double or
compound conduit, consisting of a pipe of any suitable form and dimensions according
to the estimated quantity of liquid to be dealt with. This pipe or conduit which
may be made either of stoneware, iron, or other suitable material (and in convenient
lengths) is divided longitudinally into two parts or compartments by means of a
horizontal partition, so that the double conduit when complete will be practically
like two pipes placed parallel to but one above the other.
I prefer to use the upper compartment or conduit for the foul sewage and the
lower one for the surface drainage or storm waters, and they should not be allowed
to communicate with each other at any part of their length.
The lower conduit should by preference be made of larger capacity than the upper
one, because it should be able to carry off any large quantity of water that may bo
suddenly thrown into it.
The sides of the lower conduit may also be perforated with holes at regular
distances apart for the purpose of allowing any water that may have percolated
(from the surface) through to the subsoil to drain into the conduit and run off.

page_text: Another advantage of keeping the foul sewage separate from the surface drainage
or storm waters, and of severing all communication between the two conduits, is that
in the event of the lower conduit becoming filled or gorged with water in consequence.
of a sudden storm, it will not affect the sewage in the other conduit, and will not
force it back into the adjoining houses, as has sometimes been the case in the present 5
system of sewerage or drainage, to the great annoyance and discomfort of the
inhabitants and the imminent risk of propagating disease or fever.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMBS OF COMBING MACHINES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Griffith Brewer at the Office
"
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th May 1878. (A communication
from abroad by Ernest Arthur Brulé, of Paris, France.)
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER, of Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex.
'IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMBS OF COMBING MACHINES." (A
communication from abroad by Ernest Arthur Brulé, of Paris, France.)
The taking out of the comb of a small ring of a combing machine, and replacing
it by another, is according to the present mode (as this kind of comb is now made
in one piece) the work of perhaps a day and a half, while it is almost necessary to
take the machine to pieces and to readjust all its parts.
According to the improvements of which this Invention is the subject, this result
is obtained by dividing the ring into two parts; an immense economy in time is
obtained, for in twenty minutes, and without changing the other part of the machine,
a small ring in two parts which is worn may be taken down, and another in good
condition in two parts may be substituted.
The difficulty was not simply to make a ring in two parts, but to arrange it in
such a way that a ring of two parts should be as solid and accurate as when made
in one piece.
This result is, according to this Invention, obtained by interposing between the
two half rings a plate or comb in sheet steel, which forms a part, as it were, by
means of screw bolt and nut, of the two rings, and affords all the solidity
desirable.
The plate of the comb in sheet steel is fixed to the draw screw by one or two
steel pins to facilitate the replacing of this plate when a needle is broken off.
It should be said that the screwing up plates, which are slightly conical, change
the numbers according to the circles.
Grooves are formed in the end of the nut, so that it may be turned with a screw-
driver or key.
TEMPORARY LOCOMOTIVE LEG SUPPORTS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Peter Piper at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd July 1878.
JAMES PETER PIPER, of the Town of Bedford, Solicitor.
TEMPORARY LOCOMOTIVE LEG SUPPORTS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
My improvements consist in employing a locomitive support for the leg, without
any attachment being made to the leg itself.
The apparatus consists of a convenient stool, preferably with four legs, and having
the boundary of the base flush with the floor.
The width of the base may be made greater than the ordinary width of a step or
stair.
The head is padded and locomotion is afforded by the hand of the user of the
apparatus, supporting and carrying the apparatus by means of a convenient arm or
lever-liked handle.